I Will Bite Back

Bellamy Stark, 27, Drifter hacker I will take every single tear I shed on your behalf and use it as ammo in the war that you started. I will fight until I can’t fight anymore and I will win.

[stonelara]

[nox-incendii]

“How long have you been in LA?” she asks. If they’ve been here the same amount of time and have just been missing each other, Nyx is gonna flip. Things would’ve been so much easier with Ariadne around… 

Ariadne’s comment makes her snort, and she shakes her head laughing. “That’s not hard,” she replies. Her own frown forms once she sees her friend’s, and she knows instinctively that her slip up hadn’t gotten past the other woman. She’s too smart and knows Nyx too well for that. She sighs. “…….He doesn’t know we’re here. …..I didn’t tell him we were leaving.”

[bellamyxstark]

“A couple of weeks. It was an impulse decision.” There’s a little shrug given, after all most of her decisions are ruled by impulse. For someone who had a logical mind she rarely gave it a chance to influence things. “You?”

“Not at all.” The smirk on her face is short lived and Nyx continues. She knows enough to see clearly that her friend is missing the man she loves but is too stubborn to do anything about it. Their similarity in that would have made her smile if concern hadn’t won out. “You should tell him, Nyx. He deserves to know where his son is.”

[jackson-selvaggio]

She produces a card, one that Jackson takes without much hesitation. He turns it over in his hand, looking at the symbol. If this is a ploy, it’s a good one. One she’s given a lot of thought too. It’s not how he knows the Initiative to operate, but he also doesn’t expect them to hold to their tactics after the Syndicate so boldly broke from their own. “If you end up in jail,” he says as he slips the card into his pocket. He’ll give it to Gwen first thing, let her decide what she wants to do with it. “We’ll be the ones coming to get you out.” It’s telling. That he says we, giving her the hint that he’s not a lone wolf. If she hadn’t gathered it from their conversation yet. But it implies organization, strength, unity. All things the Syndicate stood for and if she was really who and what she claimed to be, he thought she probably would have heard of them. 

[bellamyxstark]

Jackson had never struck her as someone who’d been acting alone. Whether she’d been right to assume it or not, in her mind she’d tied all of attacks together as under one organisation. By her logic it made sense that he’d been acting as part of something bigger, given the nature of what had happened. He was just one of only two to get caught. It was nice to have her suspicions confirmed and she found herself wondering if she’d finally stumbled into someone who was a part of this infamous Syndicate that she’d never been able to hear anything but rumours, whispers and half truths about. She tried to keep her excitement at finally having reached what had eluded her so so long hidden. “We, huh?” The thought of someone having her back was a bit of a novelty, but not an unwelcome one. “I’ll do my best to keep myself out of it. Hate to have you wasting resources.” Once again there was the slightest tug of a smirk at her lips.

[rhysxarcher-deactivated20190910]

He could only offer a soft scoff at her reply. As much as he might have tried, there was definitely no hiding anything from her. Not that Rhys was a hard man to read; he was a pretty emotional guy, hard not to tell how he felt in the moment. Still, there were some moments where he could hide his true feelings, especially when he really had to. But honestly, he never felt the need around Ariadne, or anyone else he trusted.

“I think you will,” he replied with a nod. “Sebastian’s a pretty smart guy– really smart. Most of the stuff he knows goes way over my head, that kind of smart. Very kind, super creative. Has a great sense of humor and sarcasm I think you’d appreciate,” he jabbed with a grin. “He’s just a great guy.”

[bellamyxstark]

Despite rolling her eyes at his comment about sarcasm, there was a soft smile on Ariadne’s face that usually only appeared when Jaxon was around. It was offered to very few and Rhys was a recipient because she was happy for him. Happy that he had someone in his life that he could wax lyrical about and happy that they were back in his life. 

She didn’t know what she would think of this Sebastian guy when she met him but she knew she’d try her best to get along with him. But equally, Rhys had quickly cemented his place as one of her best friends and for all she’d do her best, if he hurt Rhys it wouldn’t end well. The soft smile morphed into a smirk as she took her usual air of cockiness back on. “Look at you with not one but two perfect friends.” 

[rhysxarcher-deactivated20190910]

He couldn’t help but laugh at the inflection of the word friend, giving a shake of his head. Sebastian was a friend, yes, but the word never really felt like enough to describe him. To Rhys, he was more than that, he meant everything to him. And for so long he thought Seb dead, and now, he was back in his life. Just like that. It had been a long time since Rhys had been that happy.

“An old friend,” he finally replied. Seven years was a long time– a lot could have changed since he and Seb had seen each other. So he settled for that, even if it still didn’t feel right to him. “Thanks, Ariadne. I’m really glad, too. Which is why I’m all for drinks after this,” he added with a grin.

[bellamyxstark]

The silence that hovered between his lagh and his reply said more than his words. It was enough for her to sense that there was far more to this story than he was letting on but there was time for that to happen. If nothing else a few drinks might loosen his lips. With her own lips pressed together as she tries to hide a smile, her friend’s happiness contagious, a disbelieving but nonetheless playful reply came. “Mmm, if you say so.”

As happy as she was for Rhys, hence the smile on her face, Ariadne found herself looking away, feigning that she was trying to catch the waitress rather than needing a minute. Once again she was jealous. That Rhys got the reunion and it wasn’t likely to happen for her. But that got pushed aside as she decided to not put herself first. “So, tell me more about them. Am I gonna like them?”

[devouringbeast-blog]

It’s probably the truth, and if he offers a quiet laugh in response it doesn’t mean any part of him truly doubts it. Hell hath no fury like a woman, and he doesn’t think the second part of that saying even needs to factor into it. And she sauntered over here with that air of trouble about her, the kind that swears she could break bones and break hearts if the mood struck her. The only reason his might be safe is because he’s already given it away, but it’s still easy to fall into old habits, his best excuse for a charming grin weighted down by too much tequila. “Totally into it. Hate sex is the best sex.”

It’s probably a good sign that he should leave the bottle alone, but he can’t stop his fingers from toying with the empty shotglass in some idle addict’s tic. That question of whether or not he can handle a few more before his judgement’s completely fucked or he ends up sleeping underneath the bar.  “Sure I could. I’d be a fuckin’ beautiful Ariadne. You as an Elijah though? Can’t see it.”

[bellamyxstark]

Raising her glass as if to toast, she grins at his statement about hate sex. As someone who didn’t do anything more serious than a one night stand, hate sex was the closest she got to something passionate. “Agreed.” With the alcohol in her system it’d be easy to flirt with him and that the feeling of kindred spirits she was having could maybe lend itself to saying exactly what he’d want to hear. But it wasn’t what she wanted. Maybe six months ago but now. Still new to LA she’d take friends over a quick lay any day. Instead she resorted to teasing, biting her lip slightly before shrugging. “Too bad it’s not on the cards for us.”

“Oh please, I could rock Elijah or any other name.” The ridiculousness of their dispute brought a grin to her face and a laugh bubbling from her lips. She’d forgotten how easy this was. With eyebrows raised she noticed his hands toying with the glass. “You just gonna play with that or you gonna fill it up? And mine too.”

[bellamyxstark]

What is something you’ve always wanted, but couldn’t have due to social stigmas?

“Never really been one to let social stigmas stop me.”

[bellamyxstark]

Who or what are you hoping to find in LA?

“Fame and fortune, definitely the next big thing right here.”

[harlow-ackerman-deactivated2019]

“Sor–” she cut herself off before completing the apology. Harlow was always in the habit of apologizing too much. Fidgeting too much, getting too nervous over little things– all because she didn’t know when it would be just that moment when her powers would kick in. And in that case, it could really have been any time. The thought had her shoving her hands back into her pockets. “Got it,” she decided to settle with instead.

Harlow was ready to part ways, to try and figure out how to get back home from where she was. She was an adult, she could handle finding her own way by herself. Even in a city as large as LA. She decided to live there, after all. Not like she had anywhere else to go and call home, anyway. But instead, the woman asked where she was off to, maybe offering to help? “Trying to get to San Marino street. Not really sure how far it is from here…” Or where it was from there, for that matter.

[bellamyxstark]

An eyebrow had raised sharply at the beginning of the girl’s apology but it was swiftly replaced by a satisfied half-smile at the fact she’d been listened to. One apology was always the only thing required, any more and you made yourself look like an easy target. Soft. Someone that could be easily taken advantage of or influenced. There wasn’t any room for that in this world and she could only hope if the other brunette took anything from the interaction it was that.

“It’s not that far.”  A sigh escaped her at the name of the place. It surprised her, being so new to the city but she could actually offer this girl some help and she wasn’t about to see her stumble her way through finding her way home. “It’s on my way, actually.” That was as much of an offer as she was willing to make but there was little doubt that there was an offer hiding in those words.

[jackson-selvaggio]

There’s a tug at the corner of his lips, taking the words for what they were. Something playful offered. He didn’t mind it, so long as she was being honest about herself. He doubted they’d just send someone her way without it being a test at first. Doubted they’d put someone vulnerable into her hands without knowing that she didn’t make them disappear in a different manner, one that meant cages and a forfeiture of all freedoms. “You have a number I could contact you at?” he asks, turning to look at her. 

[bellamyxstark]

Ariadne wasn’t foolish or naive enough to supposed that she’s in already. That somehow, by some miracle she’s managed to earn his trust in record time. No, she’ll be tested and tried, he’s too smart for anything else, but there’s a confidence that knows they won’t find anything but what she’s already claimed. She might possess many flaws but her honesty was second to none when that was what she wanted. “Here.” After rummaging in her bag she pulled out a card with her number on one side and an outline of a maze with a gold strand marking the path leading out of it on the other side. It had been something she’d been rather proud of at the time, a little play on her name but she wondered if it was still something to be proud of. “If I end up in jail I know who to blame.” Once again she let a smirk just tease the edge of her lips.

[rhysxarcher-deactivated20190910]

“No, no,” he replied with a chuckle, poking at his food with his fork. “Doubt I could hide anything from you, anyway.” Ariadne seemed to know when Rhys was hiding things from her, even though they had only met a little while ago. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but some secrets he had meant to stay secrets.  

“I reconnected with an old friend. Been a really long time since I’d seen him last.” It had only been the tip of the iceberg when it came to the whole situation, but it was still the truth. He was very happy to see Sebastian again, glad that he was back in his life despite the current circumstances with the Syndicate and the Initiative. But right now, he was pretty happy having him back. “Definitely worth celebrating over,” he added, the smile never leaving his face.

[bellamyxstark]

Giving a fake solemn nod along with a mock serious ‘threat’ to her friend. “You just remember that, Archer.” But the serious tone barely lasted and before long a smug grin took its place. “I’ve got you figured out.” For the most part it was true but it wasn’t like Rhys was a dishonest guy so it hardly made it an accomplishment. 

“Old friend or an old friend?” Just in case her emphasis on the word didn’t make the connotations she was implying clear enough, Ariadne waggled her eyebrows suggestively as well. She chuckled slightly before her expression turned more sincere. “But I’m glad you’ve got them back in your life.” And she was, Rhys deserved all the happiness life could give him and if this guy brought that then perfect. Except she couldn’t help but feel a niggle of envy that her new friend had got his blast from the past back when hers was still avoiding and eluding her.

[nox-incendii]

“As long as you know I would have though…” Nyx trails off. That’s not important; what’s important is that they’re together again. She hadn’t realized just how much she needed her best friend until the woman turned back up.

She grins. “He’s tall, like–” Like Roman, she wants to say, but it’s still hard to talk about him without working up to it first. “He’s getting smarter by the day. He likes it here, so.” She shrugs.

[bellamyxstark]

“Of course.” There’s no point in dwelling on it any longer. Nyx was the one person she’d known she could count on and for years she’d been the only one that Ariadne had been able to trust. She knew this time wouldn’t have been any different.

Grinning she moved on. “He’s gonna be bigger than you before long then.” A frown sits on her brow briefly, as her friend doesn’t finish the sentence but she knows whose name should be there. “Good, he deserves to be happy.” 

[devouringbeast-blog]

“Maybe I’d like you when you’re angry.” He’ll blame the alcohol for his loosening tongue, only marginally in better shape than her. But he’s been just as quick to toss back shots, and when he rests his palm against the counter it’s a little more necessary to ensure he stays standing. The room’s taking on a pleasant spin, his fingers tingling and he’s swiftly losing the ability to determine just where on the bar he’s situated those shotglasses. It’s a familiar thing, more of his life spent intoxicated than he should be proud to admit. Right now he doesn’t care either way, and it’s that blissful haze that always had him chasing the next hit.

“Huh. That’s a new one.” She answers the unspoken question before he can ask if it’s a stripper name, though he’s left grinning at his own joke, even if it never gets said. “Eli. ‘Cause my dad had a thing for the Bible. Lemme know if you wanna switch.”

[bellamyxstark]

“Uh uh, I’m not pretty when I’m angry.” A mock shake of her head had been given as she schooled him of just what an ugly sight she was when she lost her temper. Her short fuse had got her into more than one scrape over the years and while she’d always been able to get out of them it hadn’t made her actions any prettier. She was all hate an violence when anger took over, even the smallest of slights triggering her outrage. It wasn’t something she was always proud of but then again she never really had been one to care about whether or not she was in control all the time. Sometimes being out of control was twice as fun. “Unless you’re into violence then you probably won’t like it.”

“Well, coulnd’t have my name being something forgettable.” And that was part of the reason she’d chosen it for herself when she’d erased Arianne Morgan. It was an easy name for people to find her by if they asked the right people. “Nah, I’m good. I don’t think you could pull Ariadne off.”

[jackson-selvaggio]

“No,” he answers honestly. He doesn’t trust her with a surname. She could be Initiative, sitting next to him. Trying to get details out of him and it’s not just himself he’s protecting. His surname carries weight in this city. Not with anyone of a place in public eye power, but with everyone who stayed out of the public eye. With the people who did their dealings in back rooms and beneath tables. Off the books. His name had sway, but it was also something he had to guard carefully because there was an entire Estate full of people he was trying to protect and he wasn’t about to gamble with them. Though when she buys a scotch, he nods his head. “Scotch it is,” he tells the bartender, appreciating her drink choices at least. 

[bellamyxstark]

A smile tugged at her lips as he orders the same, fellow scotch drinkers instantly had her respect. It might not be the best way to judge someone’s character but it didn’t stop her. “The fact that you’ve got good taste tells me more than your last name would.” The words were said dryly, perhaps in an attempt to tease him but there was some truth in them as well. The Syndicate was something she was still so unfamiliar with and most of her knowledge came solely from rumour so she was all too aware what little faith she could put in it. Hardly worth counting as truth. “So, you need to know anything else before you send someone my way or?”

[prettymysticfalls]

[april-kepner]

ladies meme: 8 friendships · meredith grey & cristina yang (grey’s anatomy) “You’re my sister. You’re my family. You’re all I’ve got.”

[bellamyxstark]

Ariadne Stark Aesthetic